How long does the worst of CS pain last?

[sh77]

Hi

Just wondered how long the worst of CS pain lasted. I have had an episiotomy and the most intense part of the pain lasted about 4-5 days.

Also, for those of you who took arnica, did you start taking it before ELCS date? If so how many days before?

Many thanks.

A few days. No arnica. Just paracetemol and Ibrufen.

when are you due?

I had a elective section 5 years ago after haivng a horrendous birth with DS 10 years ago and having an episiotomy with him i felt the CS was teh best option for me (along with other medical issues)

My CS was ALOT quicker recovery than the natural birth. Im actually due to have another ECS in may.

The first night after CS on ward was difficult as i still couldnt move due to epidural but i wasnt in any pain.
The morning after my CS i was helped to go have a shower so they could take off the bandage, i was actually unprepared for the pain this can cause, standing for the first time BUT it wasnt till after that the midwife realised they hadnt given me my morphine so make sure you have had some strong meds the morning after. Once i was showered and bandage was off i found i could move more freely, it was really only the initial getting up and sitting down i had to watch.
By day 2 i was able to walk around ok and carry baby comforatbly and breast feed, the hospital actually made you walk to get your meals and carry the tray etc so that meant if i wanted to eat i couldnt be a baby about it!
I was let home on day 3 and managed the pain with co-codamol but i did limit how much i had to move TBH. By day 6 (christmas day for me) i was actually feeling great and moving fine. BY day 14 i felt normal and my scar whilst it was numb was actually healing well.

this was complete contrast to the epidural where i remember vividly not being able to sit down for about 10 days due to the pain!

meant to say contrast to episiotomy not epidural DUH

After my planned CS it only felt really sore for about 5 days, although I took paracetamol until day 10. I didn't have to do anything for a few weeks though so it might have been really painful if I was rushing around.

I have a feeling I started taking arnica the day before. TBH I'm not a huge fan of alternative medicine but the midwife suggested it and I did heal well so maybe there's some truth in it.

From my experiences (two c-section-style operations):

If left unprodded and you're immobile, generally the incision does not hurt.

The first time you stand up is utterly excruciating and it feels like the incision is tearing apart. It's not, btw!

2 days post partum it really hurts if you go over speed humps or potholes in a car, which is quite likely if you're returning from hospital.

After about a week it only really hurts if you prod it or cough/sneeze/laugh. But during the first week it is really advisable to keep up with the pain medication on a regular basis.

Two weeks on and you are no longer wincing when you cough and sneeze etc.

4-6 weeks and it no longer hurts when you prod it either.

I have not tried arnica, wondering whether to for my next ELCS or not..

I had no pain at all after either of my sections. A bit of tenderness with the first after I stopped taking the pain relief, but I can honestly say no pain. I was prescribed much stronger drugs than paracetamol, though - can't remember name of it. Cocodamol (sp?), I think? Worked a treat.

For me the worst of the pain was something really odd but apparently not uncommon after cs: trapped wind in my shoulder! It was agony for a day or two, made movement of my upper body really awkward. Midwife said they often see it, not sure why.

Meds helped though - I had paracetamol, ibuprofen and tramadol (whoever mentioned morphine, that wasn't an option for either my emergency or planned sections! Must depend where you are).

I didn't feel the pain on standing that others have mentioned.

I have had 2 ELCS and no pain with either. no pain when standing or walking either. (had diclofenac and cocodamol)

My advice is that you just make sure you have enough pain relief before standing.

I have had 3 sections, and if you are topped up well enough (I think I was on voltaren and paracetamol/codeine), you shouldn't feel any pain.

Basically, if you are in pain, demand more drugs!!!

I had an emergecny c.s with DS and remember a lot of pain for a good 48 hours post delivery.. had a morphine pump i could administer myself..the next few days i had various pain killers but it was painful... i remember discomfort on getting up and in/out of bed/turning over for a week or two after the op ....

recovery varies greatly.. i think with a planned c.s where you are not exhausted from labour also helps.

and getting up and moving quickly, but still allowing yourself some rest, it is major surgery and should be treated as such

Hi everyone

Just wanted to say thanks for your responses. Really helpful.

CS booked for 11th March.

x

I didnt feel pain as such, but felt ill on the second day,it was difficult to stand up properly and coughing felt 'wrong' like it would do me damage, but this may have been all in my mind! I was on cocodamol and ummm another I cant remember the name of.

I was feeling loads better after 48hrs.

CS was painful for the first two days. On the third day, I was fine (albeit careful when getting out of bed etc) and did not need any painkillers, including paracetamol.

In comparison, recovery from previous vaginal birth and episiotomy took three weeks.

I felt like my stomach was going to fall out for about two weeks. Don't think I've recovered very quickly though - still can't walk far at 3.5 weeks.